Sporting manufacturing giant Nike has moved to address a major issue for fans that arose during last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
During the tournament, Matildas superstar Mackenzie Arnold became a national icon with her goal-saving heroics. And she inspired fans to race to shops in an attempt to purchase her goalkeeper jersey.
But they were quickly left shocked and dumbfounded when they realised that Nike did not actually make any Matildas goalkeeping kits and, therefore, could be bought for love or money.
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Needless to say, furious fans then took to social media to let rip.
“The amount of Mackenzie Arnold jerseys that’ll sell tomorrow … Oh wait,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
While another screamed: “Sell me a Mackenzie Arnold jersey you cowards @nikefootball!”
After the match against France — where Arnold was particularly brilliant — fans were at it again.
“So Nike when do we get goalie jerseys because I just know Mackenzie Arnold’s black kit would fly off the shelves after that match,” one person asked.
Now, after the demand has clearly been realised, Nike have revealed the purple goalkeeping jerseys will go on sale tomorrow (February 27).
Well, better late than never, we say.
Naturally, Arnold welcomed the news.
“The support we as goalkeepers have felt from our fans over the last year has been absolutely incredible,” the 29-year-old said.
“It means so much to me that we’ll head into another huge year for our team, and our sport, knowing that our families, friends and fans will be backing us all the way, and wearing our jerseys with pride.
“When I was a young athlete, the idea that I could make a living as a goalkeeper never really crossed my mind. It’s a testament to how far our game has come that the next generation of keepers will now see fans wearing our jerseys in the stands.”
Football Australia chief James Johnson said the move was another nod to the Matildas groundbreaking and trailblazing powers.
“We are delighted to work with our long-term apparel partner, Nike, in making available for fans the now iconic purple CommBank Matildas’ goalkeeper jersey as worn by our goalkeeping cohort during last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup and during the current Olympic Qualifying campaign,” Johnson said.
“For many years now, our national team goalkeepers have become national heroes and household names, so we are thrilled that through the support of Nike, fans can now access the CommBank Matildas’ goalkeeper jersey and we can’t wait to see that support in the streets and stands during another big year for our women’s national teams.”
